Method of sensing gases during medical procedures

ABSTRACT

A method of sensing gases during medical procedures that includes electronically altering a gas-identification sensor, coupled with an electronic medical device, to selectively detect at least one of a plurality of gases, receiving the at least one of the plurality of gases in the electronic medical device, the electronic medical device having an energy output, transferring the at least one of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensor for identification, and then reducing an amount of energy emitted from the energy output upon identification of the at least one of the plurality of gases.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of pending application Ser.No. 13/644,202, filed on Oct. 3, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/677,285, titled “A Gas Sensing SurgicalDevice and Method Therefore” and filed on Jul. 30, 2012, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to electrical medical devices,and, more particularly, relates to any electrical medical devices thatare operable to identify gases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Advancements are consistently sought in the medical field to improve thequality and care of patients. Many of these advances involve the use ofelectronic devices and equipment. Many of those devices and equipmentare used in surgical or diagnostic settings. This is extremelyproblematic for patients, physicians, hospitals and others in themedical fields, as the electrical charges and emissions of energy fromthese devices may cause fires and localized explosions. In fact, theUnited States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates thatapproximately 600 surgical fires occur in the United States each year.Many of these explosions traumatically affect patients and/orphysicians, leading to disfigurement, scarring, and other injuries. Theyalso expose medical facilities and physicians to civil liability.

In order for these fires or combustions to occur, three requirementsmust be satisfied (also known as the fire triangle). These requirementsinclude ignition (energy or heat source), a fuel source, and anoxidizer. During medical procedures, electrical medical devices areoften utilized. These medical devices, such as electrical surgical units(ESUs), e.g., cautery, diathermy, lasers, ultrasound, fiber-optic lightsources and others emit energy at their point-of-use, thereby providingan “ignition” to a fire or combustion. Specifically, ESUs often generatesparks, or induce enough heat at their point-of-use, to causecombustion. “Fuel sources” encountered during surgical proceduresinclude flammable gases and vapors from isopropyl alcohol and otheralcohol-based surgical preparations used for sterilization of surgicalsites prior to procedures. These substances may saturate and persist insurgical drapes, gowns, gauze and other items commonly found in anoperating environment. Furthermore, many of the gases associated withanesthesia to limit or control a patient's pain, or to render a patientunconscious, are flammable. Invariably, these gases are administered tothe facial region of a patient often exposing the head, face, throat,airway, and neck to severe damage should a fire or explosion occur.These gases may also disperse and linger under partial, or total bodysurgical drapes, exposing areas of the patient remote from the head tothe risk of severe burns from fires or explosions. Once combustion ofthese gases or vapors occurs, especially in an oxygen rich surgicalenvironment, there are an abundance of additional fuel sources such assurgical gauze, disposable drapes, gowns, the patient's own hair orskin, and other operating/procedure room materials which may combust orcatch on fire.

“Oxidizers,” such as oxygen or nitrous oxide (which decomposes tonitrogen and oxygen), create the third element of the fire triangle andmay act as accelerants. Oxidizers are routinely administered to patientsduring surgical procedures involving any type of sedation or anesthesia.While greater amounts of oxygen in environments increase the probabilityof fires or explosions, even normal oxygen levels found in typicalatmospheric environments, e.g., air-conditioned/heated//climatecontrolled medical facilities, are sufficient to support fires orexplosions. Some known devices and methods have attempted to containoxygen in patients' airways to reduce the risk of combustion.Unfortunately, the oxygen commonly escapes and is found at, or near,sites where ESUs and other energy-emitting devices are used, and thusacts as an accelerant for fires and explosions when flammable gases orvapors are present. Moreover, these devices do not utilize responseindicators from any other elements of the fire triangle, such as fuelsources, to prevent combustions. As such, these devices and methodswould be ineffective against fires or explosions that may occur withinnormal oxygen levels found in surgical environments.

Moreover, most, if not all, known medical devices attempting to preventcombustions do not have the ability to adequately and efficiently detectgases. As mentioned, these gases may be administered to a patient, ormay be found within the patient him or herself. For example, in thegastrointestinal (GI) tract, bacteria produce gases in the approximateratios of 30% methane, 44% hydrogen, and 5% oxygen. Methane and hydrogenare flammable. Endoscopes, colonoscopies, and other GI proceduraldevices use ESUs, fiber-optic light sources, and other energy-emittingunits during various procedures, which can ignite the methane andhydrogen. As the level of oxygen is too low to detect a response thatsignals an amount of oxygen which would facilitate an explosion, thoseknown devices and methods which sense only oxygen, or sense the level ofoxygen, would be futile against preventing explosions or fires.

Those known sensing medical devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 7,291,145,also suffer from the above-described disadvantages. These devices aregenerally only limited to handheld cauterizers that detect the level ofoxygen and shut down the energy source to the handheld cauterizer if aparticular predetermined level of oxygen is detected during orimmediately before the cauterizing process. These devices are only aimedat quantitatively measuring oxygen. These devices are only focused ondetermining the level of oxidizers in the surgical environment. Asdiscussed, an explosion may occur within an environment having a normalconcentration of oxygen. As such, these devices still would not preventmany surgical fires and combustions. Further, these devices only seekthe level of oxygen; they do not identify any gases that may flammable,such as those found in universally used topical surgical sitesterilization preparations and gases normally found within a patient'sbody.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a gas-sensing surgical device and method of usethat overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of theheretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and thatidentifies the type of gas(es) located in the proximity of the energyoutput of the surgical device.

A system of one or more processing devices can be configured to performparticular operations or actions by virtue of having software, firmware,hardware, or a combination of them installed on the system that inoperation causes or cause the system to perform the actions. One or moreprocessing devices can run computer programs configured to performparticular operations or actions by virtue of including instructionsthat, when executed, cause the apparatus to perform the actions. Onegeneral aspect includes a method of sensing gases during medicalprocedures, the method including: electronically altering agas-identification sensor, coupled with an electronic medical device, toselectively detect at least one of a plurality of gases; receiving theat least one of the plurality of gases in the electronic medical device,the electronic medical device having an energy output; transferring theat least one of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensorfor identification; and reducing an amount of energy emitted from theenergy output upon identification of the at least one of the pluralityof gases. Other embodiments of this aspect include correspondingcomputer systems, apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one ormore computer storage devices, each configured to perform the actions ofthe methods.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Themethod further including: receiving the at least one of the plurality ofgases from a location proximal to the energy output located on theelectronic medical device. The method further including: electronicallyaltering a single gas-identification sensor to selectively detect the atleast one of the plurality of gases. The method further including:electronically altering the single gas-identification sensor toselectively detect at least two of the plurality of gases. The methodfurther including: electronically altering the gas-identification sensorto selectively detect at least two of the plurality of gases. The methodwhere: the gas-identification sensor utilizes spectroscopy to identifythe at least one of the plurality of gases. The method where: thegas-identification sensor utilizes electromagnetic spectroscopy toidentify the at least one of the plurality of gases. The method where:the gas-identification sensor utilizes infrared spectroscopy to identifythe at least one of the plurality of gases. The method where: theelectronic medical device is portable. The method where: the electronicmedical device is of an electronic surgical device. The method furtherincluding: identifying the at least one of the plurality of gases withthe gas-identification sensor. Implementations of the describedtechniques may include hardware, a method or process, or computersoftware on a computer-accessible medium.

One general aspect includes a method of sensing gases during medicalprocedures, the method including: providing a surgical device having abody, an energy source, an energy output located at a distal end of thesurgical device, a system operable to emit an amount of energy from theenergy output, and a gas-identification sensor electronically tunable toidentify at least one of a plurality of gases. Electronic tuning is akinto selectively altering the sensor(s) as further described herein. Themethod of also includes electronically tuning the sensor to identify theat least one of the plurality of gases; receiving the at least one ofthe plurality of gases from a location proximal to the energy output.The method of also includes transferring the at least one of theplurality of gases to the gas-identification sensor. The method of alsoincludes identifying the at least one of the plurality of gases with thegas-identification sensor; and reducing the amount of energy emittedfrom the energy output upon identification of the at least one of theplurality of gases. Other embodiments of this aspect includecorresponding computer systems, apparatus, and computer programsrecorded on one or more computer storage devices, each configured toperform the actions of the methods.

One general aspect includes a method of sensing gases during medicalprocedures, the method including: electronically altering a singlegas-identification sensor, coupled with an electronic medical device, todetect a plurality of gases; receiving at least one of the plurality ofgases in the electronic medical device, the electronic medical devicehaving an energy output; transferring the at least one of the pluralityof gases to the gas-identification sensor for identification; andreducing an amount of energy emitted from the energy output uponidentification of the at least one of the plurality of gases. Otherembodiments of this aspect include corresponding computer systems,apparatus, and computer programs recorded on one or more computerstorage devices, each configured to perform the actions of the methods.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a gas sensing surgical assembly thatincludes a handheld surgical device with a body, a proximal end, adistal end, and a body length separating the proximal and distal ends,the device also having an energy input and an energy output, the energyoutput located at the distal end of the body, and a control switchoperable to transfer energy from the energy input to the energy output.The gas sensing surgical assembly also includes a sensor that is coupledto the handheld surgical device, is in fluid communication with anoutside environment, and is operable to identify at least one of aplurality of gases, the gas sensing surgical device also having anelectronic gas detection circuit communicatively coupled to the sensor,the electronic gas detection circuit being operable, upon theidentification of the at least one gas by the sensor, to control theenergy output from the handheld surgical device. The gas-identificationsensor may advantageously identify a gas or a gaseous substance, e.g.,matter upon which a gas is constructed, such that the terms “gas” or“gaseous substance” shall be interchangeable.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes at least one gas intake aperture defined by the bodyand located proximal to the energy output and a channel defined by thebody and extending from the at least one gas intake aperture, thechannel placing the sensor in fluid communication with the outsideenvironment.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thechannel includes a channel pressure lower than an outside environmentpressure.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the sensorutilizes spectroscopy to identify the at least one gaseous substance.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thesensor utilizes electromagnetic spectroscopy to identify the at leastone gaseous substance.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thesensor utilizes infrared spectroscopy to identify the at least onegaseous substance.

In accordance with an additional feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a memory communicatively coupled to the sensor andhaving at least one data structure that associates a sample gasidentifier, received by the sensor, with a stored-value identifier ofthe at least one gaseous substance.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thesensor qualitatively identifies the at least one gaseous substance.

In accordance with the present invention a gas sensing surgical deviceincludes an electrical medical device having a body, an energy inputconnected to an energy source, and an energy output located at a firstend of the medical device, the electrical medical device being operable,through an electronic circuit system, to emit an amount of energy fromthe energy input to the energy output, the gas sensing surgical devicealso having a sensor coupled to the electrical medical device, thesensor being in fluid communication with an outside environment,operable to identify a gaseous substance, and communicatively coupledwith the electronic circuit system, wherein the electronic circuitsystem controls the amount of energy emitted from the energy output whenthe sensor identifies the gaseous substance.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention also includes a suction assembly in fluid communication withthe sensor, the suction assembly pulling the gaseous substance, proximalto the first end of the medical device, to the sensor.

In accordance with the present invention, a method for sensing gasesduring medical procedures is disclosed, the method comprising providinga handheld electrical medical device having a body, an energy inputconnected to an energy source, an energy output located at a first endof the medical device, an electronic circuit system operable to emit anamount of energy from the energy input to the energy output, and a gasidentification sensor, the method also includes receiving a gaseoussubstance from a location proximal to the energy output, transferringthe gaseous substance to the gas identification sensor, identifying thegaseous substance with the gas identification sensor, and reducing theamount of energy emitted from the energy output upon identification ofthe gaseous substance.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin a gas sensing surgical device and method of use, it is, nevertheless,not intended to be limited to the details shown because variousmodifications and structural changes may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and within the scope andrange of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention.

It is the object of the instant invention to address the aforementioneddeficiencies that precipitate fires during surgical procedures thataccompany the use of ESUs and other energy emitting surgical devices andto present an advance made in the art by utilizing spectroscopy methods.Specifically, the ESU may utilize infrared measurements to identifygases located within the proximity of the energy output of the ESU.Consequently, the device utilizes the identification of this gas andthen interrupts or reduces power to the ESU.

In light of the advent of electrosurgical units (ESUs), which facilitatein surgeries, fires resulting from the use of these ESUs during surgicalprocedures pose a serious threat to patients undergoing medicalprocedures. Because of these fires and/or explosions, many patientsincur serious burns, and unfortunately even death. The invention allowsthe use of electrosurgical units and other energy emitting surgicalequipment that emit radio frequency (RF), ultrasound, laser, heat (suchas a cautery), fiber-optic light, diathermy, and other open or closedtypes of energy used in medical procedures without the risk ofcombustion of gases and vapors commonly encountered during medicalprocedures.

Other features that are considered as characteristic of the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

The present invention may prevent combustion of flammable gases orvapors during medical procedures using infrared (IR) absorptionspectroscopy. The invention may employ a technology such as MEMS-basedIR sensors to detect flammable or combustible molecules, a gasaspiration mechanism (or vacuum tube) to collect the combustiblemolecules, and associated control hardware (such as a microprocessor ortransistors) to shut off or attenuate the voltage or current beingsupplied to the electrosurgical unit or another energy-emitting medicaldevice.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. As used herein,the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values,whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to arange of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalentto the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). Inmany instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to thenearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal”should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to anelongated direction of the body length of the device. The terms“program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, aredefined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on acomputer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “softwareapplication” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, anobject method, an object implementation, an executable application, anapplet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a sharedlibrary/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructionsdesigned for execution on a computer system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective, downward-looking view of a gas-sensing surgicaldevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of section A-A of the surgical device of FIG.1 depicting apertures located proximal to an energy output of thesurgical device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the surgical device of FIG. 1showing a gas flowing downstream to a gas-identification sensor inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a gas flowing downstream to agas-identification sensor located within the surgical device inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective, downward-looking view of a gas-sensing surgicaldevice with the gas-identification sensor encapsulated inside the devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective, downward-looking view of a gas-sensing surgicaldevice with a tube extending from the environment, which is proximate tothe energy output, to a gas-identification sensor located ancillary to asurgical device in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram reflecting a memory module utilized with agas-sensing device, the memory storing a database with a data structurethat includes a sample gas identifier and a gas identifier in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a representative block-diagram schematic of the componentsthat can be utilized in a device to detect a gas and control theoperation of the device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram representing a method of sensing one ormore gases during medical procedures and controlling the operation ofthe device upon sensing the one or more gases in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient electrical surgicaldevice that senses and identifies one or more flammable gases,subsequently terminating or reducing the amount of energy emitted fromthe surgical device upon detection of the gas(es). Embodiments of theinvention apply the inventive sensing methodology to other medicaldevices that emit energy, such as various types of cauterizers, lasers,fiber-optic light sources, diathermy, ultrasounds, etc. In addition,embodiments of the invention provide a gas-sensing surgical device thatmay have the sensor incorporated into the body of the device or may havethe sensor independent of the medical device.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in a downward perspective view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageousfeatures of the present invention, but, as will be described below, theinvention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations offeatures and components, and varying numbers and functions of thecomponents. The first example of a gas-sensing surgical device 100, asshown in FIG. 1, includes a surgical device 102 (also referred to as anESU), a sensor 106 operable to identify a gaseous substance, and anelectronic circuit system 104, or an electronic gas detection circuit,is used to control the energy emitted from the ESU 102. The surgicaldevice 102 is shown in FIG. 1 as a handheld instrument, but the presentinvention is in no way limited to any particular type of surgicaldevice/instrument style. When a user desires to use the surgical device100, in one embodiment, air is pulled from the outside environment 108where the ESU 102 is being used and then transmitted to the sensor 106where the gas can be identified. The sensor 106 and the electroniccontrol system 104 are communicatively coupled by a tube 124 thatcarries gas from the energy output 116 to the sensor 106. As will beexplained in greater detail below, the identification of a flammable orcombustible gas advantageously and safely reduces or prevents energyoutput to the ESU 102.

In one embodiment, the ESU 102 is a handheld surgical device (capable ofbeing supported with at least one hand of a user), also known in the artas a “surgical pencil.” The construction and use of surgical pencils arewell-known in the art. These pencils may be used in surgical operationsto cut a patient and/or cauterize vessels. The coagulation of vesselsand other tissue of the patient prevents bleeding. Moreover, thesesurgical pencils may be classified as cauterizing pencils, i.e.,destroying tissue using heat conduction at the tip of the surgicalpencil, or electro-surgical pencils, i.e., passing energy into thetissue of a patient to generate heat to melt the tissue. Regardless theclassification of the ESU 102, the present invention may be utilizedwith any medical device that may generate an “ignition” sufficient tocause a fire, explosion, or combustion.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ESU 102 may include a body 110 with a distal end112 (also referred to herein as a “first end”) and a proximal end 114(also referred to herein as a “second end”) and an energy output 116located at the distal end 112 of the body 110. The ESU 102 also includesan energy input 118. It should be noted that the energy output 116 andenergy input 118 do not output and receive, respectively, the sameamount or type of energy. For example, the energy input 118 may receivea regulated 120 VAC from a power source, while the output 116 produces aself-regulating ultrasonic blade motion or current emission. In oneembodiment, the energy input 118 is located at the proximal end 114 ofthe body 110 and may include a cord 126 running from the body 110 to acontrol unit 120. In other embodiments, the energy input 118 may belocated internally within the body 110 or at another portion of the ESU102, with the ESU 102 operating off of batteries or other energysources. The cord 126 may include electronic wiring for powering and/orcontrolling the ESU 102. For the ESU 102 shown in FIG. 1, the energyoutput 116 consists of an elongated member referred to in the art as a“blade.” In one embodiment, the blade consists of a metallic materialthat emits a maximum current of approximately 1 ampere. In otherembodiments, the type, shape, and material of the energy output 116 mayvary, for example, being a flat, polymer-based material that emitsultrasonic energy/movement, which is generally known to create heatinside the tissue of a patient.

In one embodiment, the ESU 102 may have a control switch 122 that isoperable to transfer energy from the energy input 118 to the energyoutput 116. For example, the control switch 122 may have a firstposition that breaks an electronic circuit, interrupting or divertingcurrent, i.e., energy, from one conductor to another. The switch 122 mayhave a second position that closes the loop between two contacts,thereby transferring current to the energy output 116. The switch 122may be operated independently of the electronic circuit system 104, ormay be controlled by the electronic circuit system 104 such that theswitch may be considered a “relay.”

Referring now to FIG. 2, a close-up sectional A-A view of the gassensing device 100 is shown. In one embodiment, the body 110 can be seendefining at least one gas intake aperture 200 that is located proximalto the energy output 116. The at least one aperture 200 provides aninlet for gases located in the outside environment 108 where the energyis emitted. This advantageously provides the ability to channel the gasto the sensor 106 efficiently and effectively. In other embodiments, thebody 110 does not have an aperture 200. In others, it has a plurality ofapertures 200, which can be located near, or a distance away from, theenergy output 116. Should the ESU 102 not have an aperture 200 thesensor 106 may be directly exposed to the outside environment or thedevice 100 may have a tube 124 channeling gas from the energy output 116to the sensor 106, with the body 110 not defining the apertures 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, in further embodiments, the ESU 102, morespecifically the body 110, defines a channel 300 that extends from theat least one aperture 200 and places the sensor 106 in fluidcommunication with the outside environment 108. As such, the surgicaldevice 100 is operable to collect and transfer gasses more effectivelyat the site of energy output 116, which may include any location at, oralong, the output 116 that discharges energy. To increase, or induce,the flow of gas within the channel 300, the channel pressure, i.e., theinternal gas pressure inside the channel 300 may be lower than theatmospheric pressure or other pressure of the outside environment 108.This may be accomplished by a vacuum pump, exhaust fan, or any otherdevice used to reduce the pressure within the channel 300. In oneembodiment, the device(s), or other component(s), including thestructural components of the body 110, used to reduce the pressurewithin the channel 300 or pull gas to the sensor 106 may be referred toin the collective as the suction assembly. In some embodiments, thesuction assembly may include the channel 300. In other embodiments, thesuction assembly may not include the channel 300 and may consist of moreor fewer components used to pull the gas to the sensor 106.

In one embodiment, the sensor 106 is operable to identify a particulargas (gaseous substance) within the proximity of the energy output 116.As discussed, aspiration by the suction assembly may be used to quicklyand effectively transfer the gas to the sensor 106. In one embodiment,the sensor 106 may detect and compare the gas concentration of aspecific desired gas within a sample, i.e., the gas from the outsideenvironment 108, to a known stored-value sample. The sensor 106 mayoperate utilizing catalytic oxidation, spectroscopy, or any other methodof identifying characteristics of or within a gas. Catalytic oxidationinvolves using a wire having a resistance, with the heat that isreleased from the oxidation process on the wire being measured (in theform of a resistance change) with a bridge circuit. The sensor 106 mayadvantageously also use spectroscopy, or the interaction between matterand radiated energy. This provides an extremely accurate and effectiveprocess of qualitatively identifying gaseous substances that arecombustible. Sensors utilizing spectroscopy are known in the art, butgenerally include measuring the interaction of a matter with radiatedenergy as a function of its wavelength or frequency, often reflected asa spectrum.

Utilizing spectroscopy may be accomplished using various techniques andimplementations with various types of radiated energy and interactionsbetween the energy and the matter desired to be identified. Some of thevarious types of radiated energy include electromagnetic radiation(classified generally by the wavelength region of the spectrum),particle radiation (such as electrons and neutrons with the wavelengthdetermined by the kinetic energy of the particle), and acousticspectroscopy (such as radiated pressure waves). In one embodiment, thesensor 106 utilizes electromagnetic spectroscopy to identify the gaseoussubstance in the environment 108. Identifying matter utilizing theelectromagnetic spectrum is generally known. Generally, however,electromagnetic waves propagate through space or matter by oscillatingelectric or magnetic fields. The range of frequencies for theelectromagnetic waves is called the electromagnetic spectrum. Thesefrequencies typically range from 10²⁰ Hz (gamma rays) to 10⁶ Hz (radiowaves). From high to low, these frequencies are classified as gammarays, x-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared (IR) light,microwaves, and radio waves. Changes in electric or magnetic fields cancause change in molecules. Electromagnetic radiation can be transmitted,absorbed, or reflected by matter and each spectral region, e.g., IRlight, can be used to identify or investigate the molecule depending onthe amount of energy imparted to the molecule. Although there may besome quantification involved in the spectroscopy process, e.g., theabsorption rate, the identification of the gaseous substance by thesensor is qualitative in nature.

In another embodiment, the sensor advantageously uses infraredspectroscopy to identify a gaseous substance. This is chiefly becausethe absorption of infrared light by gas molecules is unique andselective to this spectral region. Infrared light typically has afrequency from 4×10¹⁴ to 8×10¹⁴ cycles per second. Furthermore, as mostgas identification sensors are required to be placed within the flow ofgas, their lifespan is typically short. IR sensors, such as the one thatmay be used with the present invention, can be placed in a location suchthat they do not directly interact with the gaseous substance. This isbecause the molecules of the gas react only with light associated withthe sensor and not the sensor itself.

The sensor 106 may also employ various techniques used to interact withthe gaseous substance. This may include absorption (measuring thefraction of energy transmitted through the material), emission(measuring the amount of energy radiated from the material to beidentified), elastic scattering and reflection (measuring how incidentradiation is reflected or scattered by a material), impedance (measuringthe ability of matter to impede or slow the transmittance of energy),inelastic scattering (measuring the exchange energy between theradiation and the matter that shifts the wavelength of the scatteredradiation), coherent and resonance (measuring or detecting moleculesthat are excited to a non-stationary state during an interaction andthen returning to the molecule's initial state—generally utilizinglasers), and other techniques.

IR light sensors or other sensors utilizing spectroscopy methods thatdetect and identify a particular gas may also be used with otherelectrical components or features, such as amplifiers, microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS), or nano electro-mechanical systems(NEMS). This permits the gas identification sensor to be very small andfit within very small dimensional specifications, such as a surgicaldevice. With a brief reference back to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, thegas is transported to the gas sensor 106, which is located outside ofthe ESU 102, but is coupled thereto with a tube 124. The gas sensor 106may be located within a control unit 120 wherein the identification ofthe gas is determined. The gas sensor 106 is communicatively coupled tothe circuit 104, wherein the identification of a particular combustibleor flammable gas triggers the circuit to attenuate or prevent energytransfer to the energy output 116. Energy may be supplied to the ESU 102by standard electrical outlets, batteries, solar or other energysources.

IR light absorption spectroscopy may be used to determine and identify aparticular gaseous substance that may be flammable. This process isgenerally known, but in one described embodiment, the device 100 may beoperated such that the gas identification sensor 106 receives air fromthe environment 108 proximal the energy output 116. The air may alsoinclude the gaseous substance that has been predetermined to beflammable or likely to cause explosions/fires. It should be noted that,in certain embodiments, the type and class of gaseous substance(s)desired to be identified by the user can be changed on the device 100itself or through ancillary electronic/wireless components associatedwith the device, e.g., Bluetooth controls or computerapplication(s)/software. The sensor 106 may then propagate IR light intothe gaseous substance, wherein some of the IR light will be absorbed bythe molecules of the gaseous substance. Generally, when a molecule of agas absorbs IR light, it has absorption peaks. The more complex a gasmolecule, i.e., the more atoms a molecule has, the more absorption bandsthat will occur. Each gaseous substance has a unique absorption curvethat may identify it.

In one embodiment, with respect to IR light absorption spectroscopy,some of the IR light absorbed into the gas molecule is at the naturalfrequency of the molecule, thereby generating what is known in the artas “resonance.” This resonance causes the molecule to vigorouslyvibrate, generating heat. The temperature increase is proportional tothe gas concentration and may be detected by a detector. In otherembodiments, the IR light, or energy, transmitted through the molecule,i.e., not absorbed, will be lower than the initial energy, which mayalso be measured. The sensor, generally through the detector, may thenconvert the measured electromagnetic energy or temperature changes intoelectrical signals that can be interpreted by a processor. In additionto a detector, the sensor 106 may also utilize light modulators,filters, gas cells, light paths, or other known components. As such, thegas identification sensor 106 will be operable to identify various gasessuch as (1) Alkanes or saturated hydrocarbons, e.g., methane, ethane,propane, butane; (2) Cycloalkanes; (3) Alkenes or unsaturatedhydrocarbons, e.g., ethylene; (4) Aromatics, e.g., benzene; (5)Alcohols, e.g., methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol; and (6)Amines, e.g., dimethyl amine and many other gases.

FIG. 4 illustrates a device 400 wherein the gas sensor 106 is locatedwithin the body 402 of the ESU 404. This embodiment reflects an ESUs 404that is disposable after periods of use. After the sensor 106 detectsthe identity of a combustible gas, it sends a signal or other data tothe circuit 406 that controls the energy emitted from the energy output408. FIG. 5 illustrates a similar handheld surgical device 500, exceptthat now the circuit 406 and sensor 106 are encapsulated within the body502 of the ESU 504. Therefore, the only external component of the device500 is now the energy source (not shown). This allows all of thecontrolling circuitry, software, and hardware to be located within theESU 504 such that the device 500 may be easily transported and connectedto essentially any power, or energy, source. Similar to the otherembodiments of the device 100 discussed herein, the body 502 includes afirst end 506, a second end 508, and a body length 510 separating thefirst and second ends 506, 508.

As opposed to those known surgical devices, the present inventionemploys a mechanism to aspirate gases found at, or within closeproximity to, the site of energy discharge from surgical devices, andthen uses infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy, or other detectingmeans (not dependent on or related to the level of oxygen), to detectthe identity of flammable or combustible gases. It then utilizeshardware such as transistors or microprocessors within a control box,which may be within or ancillary to ESU 102, that will shut off orattenuate the current or voltage to medical devices that may ignitethose identified gasses. This device is compatible with various types ofESUs such as cautery, lasers, ultrasound, diathermy, fiber-optic lightsources, etc., and other energy emitting surgical devices. In oneembodiment, only one sensor 106 utilizing spectroscopy methods willidentify a gaseous substance. In other embodiments, the spectroscopysensors may be utilized in combination with other gas-detecting sensors,or other sensors not utilized for detecting gas, such as temperaturesensors and quantitative sensors. The IR absorption spectroscopy sensor106 may be located within or attached to the device 100, may be locatedoutside the device 100, and/or may be located downstream of gas flow (asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4).

In one embodiment, the sensor 106 may be operable to determine oneparticular type of gaseous substance. In other embodiments, the sensor106 may be operable to determine at least one of a plurality of gases,or may be operable to determine multiple gases among a plurality ofgases. The above-described methods utilized by the sensors 106, e.g.,spectroscopy, may be used to determine one or more gases that may becombustible or hazardous to a user or patient.

With reference now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the device 600 isshown with the gas sensor 106 located outside of the ESU 102. In theillustrated representation of the device 600, the gas proximal to theenergy output 116 is relayed from the outside environment 108, through atube 602, to an external control unit where the gas is identified by thesensor 106. As such, an ESU 102 may be quickly discarded andinterchanged with a new ESUs 102 after use. This allows the more costlycomponents of the device 600, i.e., the control unit and the sensor, tobe continually employed with different ESUs 102. To facilitate the tube602 coupling with the ESU 102, a clip, adhesive, or other method may beemployed.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing a memory 700 that may be used inaccordance with an embodiment of present invention. To determine aparticular gas that may be combustible or harmful, the device 100, ormore specifically the sensor 106, may compare a sample gas identifier702, such as an IR light spectrum, with a stored-value identifier 704 ofa particular gas. For example, after the device 100 brings the gas fromthe environment 108 to the sensor 106, the sensor 106 determines whatgases or gas concentrations are in the gaseous substance in the form ofone or more sample gas identifiers 702. The typical alcohol IR spectrumhas a broad peak from approximately 3550-3200 cm⁻¹, i.e., a sample gasidentifier 702. This identifier 702 will then be sent by the sensor 106to the memory 700, having a database 706, with at least one datastructure 708, wherein a processor will associate the sample gasidentifier 702 with the stored-value identifier 704. This method is onlyexemplary and the present invention may utilize other methods dependingon the sensing means utilized by the device 100.

The term “data structure” is defined herein as any particular method ofstoring and organizing data. In one embodiment, the data structure 708includes one or more lookup tables. In other embodiments, the datastructure 708 is a B-tree, hash tables, arrays, or other methods ofstoring and organizing data. The memory 700 includes one or moreprograms that can be executed by the processor. The programs can causethe processor to carry out at least one set of instructions that includeaccessing and searching the memory 700.

Quickly referring back to FIG. 1, in order to control the energy outputfrom the device 100 before the sensor 106 has had an opportunity toidentify a particular gaseous substance that is combustible/flammable,the electronic circuit system 104 is communicatively coupled to thesensor. More specifically, the electronic circuit system 104 is operableto control the energy output from the ESU 102 upon receiving theidentification of the gaseous substance by the sensor. Therefore, thecircuit system 104 may completely limit, attenuate, maintain, orincrease the energy emitting from the ESU 102 before receiving any inputor identification from the sensor 106. The electrical system 104 mayconsist of an interconnection of electrical elements or components suchas resistors, inductors, capacitors, transmissions lines, voltagesources, current sources, and switches (including the toggle switch122), and integrated circuits, such as a microcontroller/controller.This system 104 may also incorporate components and/or features utilizedin connection with the sensor 106 to control or limit the energy emittedfrom the ESU 102. The circuit system 104 may be located on the ESU 102itself, or may be outside of the ESU 102.

A schematic block diagram depicting an exemplary embodiment of thesevarious components interconnected between each other is shown in FIG. 8.After the gas sensor 800 receives a sample gas identifier 702, thisidentifier 702, through the use of a processor 802, is sent to thememory 804. The memory 804 may have a database 806 with one or moregaseous substance identifier(s) 804. The processor 802 may carry-out oneor more programs, stored on the memory 804, to associate the sample gasidentifier 702 with the gaseous substance identifier 704. Based upon thetype of gas(es) identified, a controller 808 then terminates, reduces,increases, or maintains the amount of energy emitted from the ESU output810. This process provides an efficient and effective means to identifypotentially hazardous gases, thereby preventing an energy source, i.e.,the ESU 102, from facilitating combustion, and possible explosion, withthose gases. As the safety and welfare of patients are enhanced, medicalfacilitates and physicians will also be subject to lower malpracticepremiums and a reduction in civil liability.

FIG. 9 represents an exemplary process-flow chart showing the operationof the device 100 before or while the device 100 is being operated. Theprocess of sensing gases during medical procedures starts at step 900and immediately proceeds to the step 902 of providing an ESU 102 withthe above-identified structural features, e.g., the body 110, anelectronic circuit system 104 operable to emit an amount of energy fromthe energy input 118 to the energy output 116, and a gas identificationsensor 106. Subsequently, the process flows to the step 904 of inquiringwhether the ESU 102 is currently emitting energy from the energy output116. This may be done using one or more electrical and/or softwarecomponents, such as a microcontroller. If the response to the inquiry isyes, the process goes to the step 906 of having the electrical system104 impede or reduce the amount of energy emitted from the energy output116. If the response to the inquiry is no, or after the device 100 haslimited the amount of energy emitted from the energy output 116, theprocess proceeds to the step 908.

Step 908 includes receiving a gaseous substance from a location proximalto the first end 112 of the ESU 102, or proximal the energy output 116,and transferring that gaseous substance to the gas identification sensor106. Once the gaseous substance is received by the sensor 106, the nextstep 910 is for the sensor 106 to identify the gaseous substanceutilizing any of the above-described methods. Following step 910, step912 includes the sensor 106 determining, possibly in combination withthe electrical system 104, whether or not the gaseous substance iscombustible. In other embodiments, the query in step 912 may be modifiedto determine if the gaseous substance is hazardous, is likely to causeor facilitate a fire, or any other parameter set by the user. If theresponse to the query is yes, then the process moves back to step 906 ofhaving the electrical system 104 impede or reduce the amount of energyemitted from the energy output 116. If the response to the query is no,then the process moves to step 914, which is to transfer energy to theenergy output 116.

In some embodiments, after the process has reached step 914, the processwill move back to step 908 and reiterate the steps subsequentlyfollowing step 908. This may be accomplished utilizing one or morecomponents or software of the electrical system 104, such as an internalclock signal produced by a clock generator that re-checks the conditionsin the environment 108 every 1-2 seconds. In other embodiments, theprocess may continually re-check the conditions of the environmentsurrounding the energy output 116, or may be set to any other interval.Following step 914, the process terminates at step 916.

A gas sensing surgical device has been disclosed that reduces orcompletely limits (terminates) the energy output of a medical deviceupon sensing a potentially hazardous gaseous substance. The deviceprovides an efficient, programmable mechanism to allow ESUs and othersurgical devices to terminate, maintain, or reduce the emission ofenergy while the risk of combustion of gases and vapors exists at theirpoint of use, thereby preventing serious or life threatening burns topatients during medical procedures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of sensing gases during medicalprocedures, the method comprising: electronically altering agas-identification sensor, coupled with an electronic medical device, toselectively detect at least one of a plurality of gases; receiving theat least one of the plurality of gases in the electronic medical device,the electronic medical device having an energy output; transferring theat least one of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensorfor identification; and reducing an amount of energy emitted from theenergy output upon identification of the at least one of the pluralityof gases.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:receiving the at least one of the plurality of gases from a locationproximal to the energy output located on the electronic medical device.3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: electronicallyaltering a single gas-identification sensor to selectively detect the atleast one of the plurality of gases.
 4. The method according to claim 3,further comprising: electronically altering the singlegas-identification sensor to selectively detect at least two of theplurality of gases.
 5. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: electronically altering the gas-identification sensor toselectively detect at least two of the plurality of gases.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein: the gas-identification sensor utilizesspectroscopy to identify the at least one of the plurality of gases. 7.The method according to claim 1, wherein: the gas-identification sensorutilizes electromagnetic spectroscopy to identify the at least one ofthe plurality of gases.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: thegas-identification sensor utilizes infrared spectroscopy to identify theat least one of the plurality of gases.
 9. The method according to claim1, wherein: the electronic medical device is portable.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein: the electronic medical device is of anelectronic surgical device.
 11. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: identifying the at least one of the plurality of gases withthe gas-identification sensor.
 12. A method of sensing gases duringmedical procedures, the method comprising: providing a surgical devicehaving a body, an energy source, an energy output located at a distalend of the surgical device, a system operable to emit an amount ofenergy from the energy output, and a gas-identification sensorelectronically tunable to identify at least one of a plurality of gases;electronically tuning the sensor to identify the at least one of theplurality of gases; receiving the at least one of the plurality of gasesfrom a location proximal to the energy output; transferring the at leastone of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensor;identifying the at least one of the plurality of gases with thegas-identification sensor; and reducing the amount of energy emittedfrom the energy output upon identification of the at least one of theplurality of gases.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: thesensor utilizes electromagnetic spectroscopy to identify the pluralityof gases.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein: the sensorutilizes infrared spectroscopy to identify the at least one of theplurality of gases.
 15. The method according to claim 12, furthercomprising: electronically tuning the gas-identification sensor toselectively detect, without use of additional sensors, the at least oneof the plurality of gases.
 16. The method according to claim 12, furthercomprising: electronically tuning the gas-identification sensor toselectively detect at least two of the plurality of gases; receiving theat least two of the plurality of gases from the location proximal to theenergy output; transferring the at least two of the plurality of gasesto the gas-identification sensor; identifying the at least two of theplurality of gases with the gas-identification sensor; and reducing theamount of energy emitted from the energy output upon identification ofat least one of the at least two of the plurality of gases.
 17. A methodof sensing gases during medical procedures, the method comprising:electronically altering a single gas-identification sensor, coupled withan electronic medical device, to detect a plurality of gases; receivingat least one of the plurality of gases in the electronic medical device,the electronic medical device having an energy output; transferring theat least one of the plurality of gases to the gas-identification sensorfor identification; and reducing an amount of energy emitted from theenergy output upon identification of the at least one of the pluralityof gases.
 18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising:receiving the at least one of the plurality of gases from a locationproximal to the energy output located on the electronic medical device.19. The method according to claim 17, wherein: the gas-identificationsensor utilizes infrared spectroscopy to identify the at least one ofthe plurality of gases.
 20. The method according to claim 17, wherein:the electronic medical device is portable.